WA producers to help set RD&A priorities

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is encouraging sheep and grassfed cattle producers across southern Western Australia (WA) to help drive the future direction of levy-payer funded research, development and adoption programs through a series of producer forums.

The first in a series of forums across Australia will be held on February 4 at the WA Livestock Research Council (WALRC) Producer Information Session at Northampton.

WALRC Coordinator Erin Gorter said the forum would give producers across southern WA the opportunity to discuss research, development and adoption (RD&A) priorities for 2017/18, specific to their region.

“This forum is a great way for producers to come and share what research and development is important to them, for their businesses and at the same time, hear about the current RD&A programs that are relevant to WA producers,” Ms Gorter said.

“There will be other forums held elsewhere in WA during the year, and if anyone can’t get to a forum, they can always request an ‘R&D for Me’ sheet where they can let WALRC know any R&D issues anytime they think of them, or have their say through their local grower group.”

MLA Managing Director Richard Norton will be at the forum to discuss current RD&A projects producer levies are being invested in and provide an update of sheep and cattle markets and future market trends.

Nine key RD&A priorities for 2016/17 have been identified and MLA has invited preliminary proposals for new projects for funding through its annual call-out process.

The forums are a key part of MLA’s new regional consultation model for RD&A investment from producer levies.

WALRC was created on the recommendations from WA producer representatives and grower groups as part of the new consultation model, to gather feedback on the specific RD&A needs of sheep and grassfed cattle producers from southern WA.

Northern WA grassfed cattle producers are able to engage in the MLA consultation process through the North Australia Beef Research Council (NABRC).

WALRC members include producers, MLA, CSIRO, universities, and natural resource management and agricultural consultancy groups.

The forum on February 4 at the Northampton Community Centre starts at 1pm.

To register for the forum, contact WALRC secretariat, 0428 882 828 or send an email by February 1.

For more information contact WALRC Coordinator Erin Gorter, 0429 833 752 or send an email.

For details about the new regional consultation framework, WALRC and its members, and how sheepmeat and beef producers can get involved, click here.